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Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

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Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you remember the command line command to convert 5:30 IST to PDT? Or convert $70 USD to SGD? Or what 17.3 years in seconds is? Or how many days are between 2024-12-30 and 2025-06-17? Raycast can all of do that automatically, and the only shortcut you need to know is Cmd-Space.

I just type the same into the browser. Only shortcut is alt-tab or a touchscreen swipe, and it works on any device without installing anything. I don't get it either.

For search you then have at least 3 roundtrips back and forth to the server, plus processing at either end, which for me is at least 400ms for Google, though ping being 17ms suggests the time is mainly spent on processing at the other end.

Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#42
post #2

I don't really see any value in such combines. You want some calculation? Run calc and do the calculation, do you save so much time by replacing the "run calc" step with "open launcher" that it's worth adding more software to your setup?

I use Alfred which is similar. I can do a lot of things with just the launcher. From small things like typing uuid and getting a uuid to open a dev project and launching all the tools needed for it by just typing p [name] where name is autocompleted. Could I open the terminal and do it there instead? Sure. But that is slower than just getting an instant launcher

Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#43
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just type the same into the browser. Only shortcut is alt-tab or a touchscreen swipe, and it works on any device without installing anything. I don't get it either.

If you ignore inefficiencies you won't get why the alternative is efficient. Of course it's not the only shortcut. First, you might need to press tab several times and also pay attention to pick the right element from the app list (no need to do that with a launcher h Then you need to open a new tab not to lose your current one (guess, this one can be avoided with extra config) Then you need to wait for the network a…

Not convinced. I challenge you to a duel wtf lmao roflcopter??

Are we fr splitting hairs now on milliseconds? Yes, and words per minute are a measure of productivity!

Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#44
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you ignore inefficiencies you won't get why the alternative is efficient. Of course it's not the only shortcut. First, you might need to press tab several times and also pay attention to pick the right element from the app list (no need to do that with a launcher h Then you need to open a new tab not to lose your current one (guess, this one can be avoided with extra config) Then you need to wait for the network a…

Not convinced. I challenge you to a duel wtf lmao roflcopter?? Are we fr splitting hairs now on milliseconds? Yes, and words per minute are a measure of productivity!

You'll never be convinced because you continue to distort reality to match your fantasy. Why did you convert seconds into milliseconds? Why did you ignore the non-time-based inefficiency of the workflow?

Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#46
post #19

Looks great! Change the name. The Raycast people are going to (initially) ask you to anyway. Raycast also runs on Windows now, albeit in beta. Other Linux launchers with extensibility: KRunner: https://userbase.kde.org/Plasma/Krunner Albert: https://albertlauncher.github.io/

[dead]

Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#47
post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fair point! I've actually thought about that before; I've tried to be extremely clear in the project's README with a disclaimer that this is a non-commercial hobby project and is not affiliated with the official Raycast team in any way. The name is just for identification, as the project's goal is to be a compatible, open-source alternative for the Linux community, a platform they don't currently serve. That being sa…

I propose cast-a-ray (sounds like castaway and goes along with FOSS wink+tonge-in-cheek style). Or maybe waycast?

I'm sorry, but in my accent (speech impairment?) "cast-a-ray" sounds almost like "castrate", so I can't back your naming idea. :P

Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#50
post #2

I don't really see any value in such combines. You want some calculation? Run calc and do the calculation, do you save so much time by replacing the "run calc" step with "open launcher" that it's worth adding more software to your setup?

On a Mac, opening the launcher means pressing cmd-space at any time, getting a popup text entry field, typing "1+2", seeing the answer, and hitting esc to dismiss it. That's the entire workflow for operating a calculator, launching an app, searching Google, locating a file, or whatever. I challenge you to do that operation with a separate app more (or even as) efficiently. There are good tools for doing each of those…

The way I do it is, I type python in a new terminal, the terminal emulator is running at all times.

So, its ctrl-s + c, python, enter, 1 + 2, enter.

Slightly more work but meh.

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